SENATORS Cynthia Villar and Emmanuel Pacquiao emerged as the only billionaires, on top of 22 other senators belonging to the so-called Senate millionaires club, based on the mandatory filing of their 2018 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).
Listed as the “poorest” but still members of the millionaires club were detained Senator Leila de Lima and neophyte Sen. Christopher Bong Go, whom President Duterte was earlier reported to have described as a “billionaire.”
Based on the summary of 2018 SALN filings provided by the Senate Secretariat, Villar declared her net worth at P3.53 billion, with no liabilities, while Pacquiao declared over P3 billion in total assets after deducting a P146-million liability.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto emerged as third-richest member with an over P555-million net worth, followed by Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri with P182.8 million; and Sen. Bong Revilla, who declared a P164-million total net worth after deducting a P37-million liability.
On the other hand, the “poorest” of the Senate millionaires club, de Lima declared her net worth at P7.7 million and Go as “second-poorest senator” declared his net worth as P15.5 million.
Much richer than Go are his fellow neophyte senators: Francis Tolentino who declared his net worth as P62.48 million, followed by Imee Marcos with P29.97 million, and Ronald dela Rosa declaring his net worth at P28.26 million.
The annual filing of SALNs is mandated by the Constitution and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. It requires public officials to declare their assets including house and lots, vehicles, bank deposits and investments, as well as liabilities, including loans and other debts.